Lodging entertainment system with guest-selected time shifting

ABSTRACT

A lodging entertainment system provides a variety of products and services, including free television, pay-per-view movies, video games, guest services, and guest-selected recording of television programs for time-shifted viewing. Through the use of an interactive program guide, the guest may select programs being aired during the guest&#39;s stay at the hotel for later viewing, or may elect to record a television program while watching the same or another program.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/724,289, filed Nov. 28, 2000 and entitled LODGING ENTERTAINMENTSYSTEM WITH GUEST-SELECTED TIME SHIFTING.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to entertainment systems for use in thelodging industry. In particular, the present invention is anentertainment system which permits a guest to select television programsto be recorded and to view previously-recorded television programs at alater time in the guest room.

The past two decades have seen the wide scale introduction ofentertainment systems in hotels and other lodging facilities whichprovide a variety of services to the guest through the guest roomtelevision. The range of services typically include regular off-airtelevision programs, pay-per-view movies, Internet access, and guestservices such as video shopping and video checkout.

Lodging entertainment systems typically include a head end which islocated within the lodging facility and which is linked to guestterminals in the individual guest rooms by an MATV cable distributionsystem. The distribution system provides transmission of bothaudio/video RF signals, as well as two way data and digitalcommunication (typically RF) signals between the head end and guestterminals.

Typically, lodging entertainment systems are not owned by the hotel, butrather are provided by a vendor who provides the head end equipment, andthe guest terminal (including the television, remote control, gamecontroller, keyboard, and associated control circuitry which interfacesthe television to the distribution system).

The entertainment system vendor owns the equipment and pays for theinstallation of the system in the lodging facility. The vendor must alsoprovide the content, such as movies, games, and cable/satelliteprogramming. The vendor receives compensation based upon amounts thehotel collects from the guest for pay- per-view movies, games, Internetaccess, and other services for which charges are made. The hotel usuallyreceives a percentage of the guest charges, and the sources of content,such as motion picture studios and game program vendors, receiveroyalties for movies and games which are viewed and played by guest.

In many cases, a guest may not purchase any of the services beingoffered through the entertainment system. The amount of purchases dependupon the popularity of the movies and other products/services beingoffered, vacancy rates at the hotel, the demographics of the guests, andthe extent of free offerings available through the entertainment system.

There is a continuing need for new and improved offerings which willresult in higher purchase rates through the lodging entertainmentsystem. At the same time, any additional products/services which alsorequire significant increases in capital investment in the entertainmentsystems are difficult to justify. For example, if a new service willrequire additional capital equipment to be installed in every guestroom, or will require the addition of expensive hardware or software atthe head end, the total cost of the additional hardware and softwaremust be weighed against the increase in purchases which can be expectedfrom the additional capital investment.

SUMMARY

The entertainment system of the present invention uses a digital contentserver and associated mass storage to provide program content, onrequest, to guest terminals located in guest rooms. Program contentincludes movies and time shifted program content.

The present invention permits time shifted recording and viewing whichis controlled by the guest through the guest terminal. The guest mayselect an interactive program guide to be displayed on the guestterminal. From the program guide, the guest may select a program whichwill be broadcast during the guest's stay at the hotel. Upon selectionof a program for recording, the host computer will coordinate theoperation of an encoding array which can be scheduled to record anychannel from the cable or satellite distribution of programming receivedat the hotel. When the requested program is broadcast, it is received atthe headend, encoded and stored in the mass storage. The interactiveprogram guide is updated to include programs, which have been recordedand stored at a guest's request. The guest can request playback recordedprograms, and the digital content server will retrieve the storedprogram and play the program for the guest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a hotel entertainment system which permitsguest-selected recording and time-shifted viewing of televisionprograms.

FIG. 2 shows a main menu screen.

FIG. 3 shows an interactive program guide screen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system overview of hotelentertainment system 10 which delivers television programming,video-on-demand (VOD) movies, interactive video games, Internet access,and other interactive video services to individual guest rooms of ahotel or other lodging facilities. Among the services offered to theguest is the ability of the guest to select programs broadcast duringthe guest's stay to be recorded for later viewing. Entertainment system10 includes four primary portions: headend 12, distribution system 14,guest terminals 16, and cable/satellite receiver 18.

Audio/video RF signals for all channels of the cable television systemare provided from headend 12. The audio/video RF signals from headend 12may include off-air local television channels, direct broadcastsatellite programing, interactive menus and interactive program guides,video-on-demand programming, interactive video games, Internet services,and other interactive video and multi-media services. Based upon systemcontrol data transmitted and received via distribution system 14 fromguest terminals 16, headend 12 controls the operation of interactivemenus and program guides, VOD movies, interactive games, Internetservices, and other interactive services.

Distribution system 14 is preferably an MATV cable distribution systemconventionally used in hotels and other lodging facilities. Distributionsystem 14 permits the transmission of both audio/video RF signals, aswell as two-way data and digital communication (typically RF) signalsbetween headend 12 and guest terminals 16.

Headend 12 includes UNIX host computer 20 (UHC), Internet server andnetwork interface 22, dual ported modem 24, game platform 26, Internetports 28, interactive ports 30, multi-media ports 32, digital contentserver (DCS) 34, video switch 36, a bank of selectable modulators 38,encoder array 40, combiner/diplexer 42, telecom modems 44, propertymanagement system (PMS) 46, printer 48, and video display terminal (VDT)50.

UNIX host computer (UHC) 20 is, in a preferred embodiment, a Pentium IIor Pentium III computer which runs UNIX operating code, together withsoftware for coordinating the operations of components of headend 12.UHC 20 houses several different computer cards and components. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, UHC includes an intelligent communicationsprocessor (ICP) card, a multi-port serial card, a number of interactivevideo port cards, an SCSI interface card, and an ethernet card. Inaddition, UNIX host computer 20 also houses storage devices such asfloppy disk drive, a backup drive, a CD ROM drive, and a hard diskdrive.

UHC 20 manages the operation of several other devices of headend 12,together with communication tasks. UHC 20 communicates with dual portmodem (DPM) 24, encoder array 40, modem 44, property management system46, printer 48, and video display terminal 50 over serial lines such asRS-232 lines connected to serial card of UHC 20.

UHC 20 is in charge of polling all of the guest terminals 16 forkeystroke activity. The polling function is performed by ICP through DPM24. ICP communicates with DPM 24 over a high speed serial line. Theresults of the polling are received back over distribution system 14 andare routed through diplexer/combiner 42 to DPM 24. Depending upon theparticular keystrokes that are returned, DPM 24 will return thekeystrokes to the serial card of UHC 20, to game platform 26, or toInternet ports 28 through serial lines, or other services which may beimplemented.

UHC 20 communicates with game platform 26 by a high speed serial linebetween the SCSI port of UHC 20 and game platform 26. For example, gameprograms stored by UHC 20 are downloaded to the individual game enginesof game platform 26 based upon game ordering and selection made by theguest through guest terminals 16.

UHC 20 communicates through its ethernet card with Internet server 22,Internet ports 28, interactive ports 30, multi-media ports 32 anddigital content server 34. Internet server 22 provides a communicationinterface between headend 12 and Internet 60.

The outputs of interactive ports of UHC 20, as well as the outputs ofgame platform 26, Internet ports 28, interactive ports 30, multi-mediaports 32, and digital content server 34 are baseband audio/video signalswhich are provided to inputs of video switch 36. The outputs of videoswitch 36 are connected to a bank of modulators 38. Video switch 36 iscontrolled by UHC 20 to route particular baseband audio/video outputs tothe inputs of selected modulators of bank 38.

Game platform 26 is a device that allows a guest to purchase aninteractive video game and to view that game at guest terminal 16. Gameplatform 26 sends game audio and video and game data through videoswitch 36, one of the modulators 38, combiner/diplexer 42 ontodistribution system 14 to guest terminals 16.

Game platform 26 receives information from UHC 20 from the SCSI card.Keystrokes which are received back from the guest terminal 16 arereceived by DPM 24 and routed to the appropriate game engine of gameplatform 26 which corresponds to the guest who has sent the keystroke.

Internet ports 28 send audio and video information from the Internet tothe appropriate guest terminal. The output of Internet ports 28 areconnected to the appropriate modulator, so that the audio and video isplaced on a channel to which the guest terminal of the guest conductingthe Internet session is tuned.

Interactive ports 30 provide audio and video associated with menuing,program guides and other interactive services. These include guestservices such as video checkout, interactive shopping, surveys, opinionpolls, and room service ordering.

Multi-media ports 32 provide a wide variety of different audio andvisual programs to a subscriber. These can include, for example, videodirectories, advertising, and other information services.

Digital content server 34 includes digital storage (e.g. a RAID harddisc array) with storage capacity to store all desired program contentto be offered to the guest. This includes, for example, movies, music,web cinema, pre-recorded broadcast programs from a central site, andguest-selected programs recorded for time-shifted viewing. The contentis stored in files in the digital storage, and each type of service hasits own directory where its content is stored. The overall storage spaceis shared among the various services. The content is stored in anencoded format such as MPEG-2.

Digital content server 34 includes decoders for converting the storedcontent to baseband audio/video during playback. The outputs of digitalcontent server 34 are output ports which are connected through videoswitch 36 to selected modulators 38.

Video switch 36 is a device that receives baseband audio and videosignals at its input ports, and routes those signals to output portswhich are connected through individual lines to inputs of individualmodulators 38. Video switch 36 is capable of connecting any one of thebaseband audio/video signals received at its inputs to any one more ofthe bank of modulators 38. Although one video switch is shown in FIG. 1,multiple video switches can be used as needed. Operation of video switch36 is under control of UHC 20, which tells video switch 36 which inputport connect to which output port.

Modulators 38 convert baseband video and audio signals received at theirinputs to RF and deliver the signals to combiner/diplexer 42. Eachmodulator is set to modulate on a specific frequency or RF channel. Theoutputs of modulators 38 are connected to inputs of combiner 42.

As shown in FIG. 1, cable/satellite receiver 18 receives cable orsatellite programming, which is supplied to combiner/diplexer 42.Receiver 18 provides the programming (which is the free-to-guesttelevision programs) on channels which are different from the channelsproduced by modulators 38. In that way, there is no channel overlapbetween the free-to-guest television programming and the other offerings(such as pay-per-view movies or games).

Encoder array 40 is a computer with a group of tuner/encoder cards whichcan be scheduled to record any channel of the cable/satelliteprogramming from receiver 18. Multiple encoder cards allow differentchannels to be encoded at the same time. Encoder array 40 receivesinstructions as to the channel and time of encoding from UHC 20. Oncethe program has been encoded to a file (such as an MPEG-2 file), thedata is moved to digital content server 34 via an ethernet or SCSIconnection. Once the file is stored in digital content server 34, aguest can choose to playback the file (i.e. the recorded program). Filenames are unique, and preferably identify the guest and the programrecorded so that multiple guests can have files stored in digitalcontent server 34, and a guest can have multiple files. Recorded filescan be deleted when the guest who requested recorded of that programchecks out, or at a predetermined time after recording. Control ofdeleting files is by UHC 20.

UHC 20 communicates with the owner/operator of entertainment system 10through modem 44. The system owner and operator is typically remote fromthe hotel facility, and must receive usage, billing, and financialinformation in order to settle accounts with the hotel. In addition,control and trouble shooting information can be communicated to and fromUHC 20 through modem 28.

Property management system (PMS) 46 is a computer system operated by thehotel to track charges incurred by individual guests. These chargestypically include room charges, as well as dining charges, room service,telephone charges, charges for use of hotel entertainment system 10, anda variety of other charges. As charges related to system 10 areincurred, UHC 20 communicates that information to PMS 46. During videocheckout operations, UHC 20 communicates with PMS 46 to obtain the datanecessary to show the guest, on guest terminal 16, a folio of chargesassociated with that guest's room. The video checkout system allows theguest to approve the charges and to authorize payment for those chargesthrough a credit card number previously given to the hotel and stored inproperty management system 46.

Guest terminal 16 includes television 70, remote control 72, gamecontroller 74, and keyboard 76. Each television 70 has a televisionscreen for viewing, and has an associated television tuner and a controlcard which interfaces guest terminal 16 with distribution system 14 andheadend 12.

The control card of guest terminal 16 receives keystrokes from remotecontrol 72, game controller 74, and keyboard 76. In the case of remotecontrol 72, the keystrokes are in the form of infrared signals which aretransmitted from an infrared transmitter within remote control 72 to aninfrared receiver associated with television 70. The keystrokes arepassed by the control card to distribution system 14 back to headend 12.The guest selects options by viewing interactive menus on the screen oftelevision 70 and pressing keys of remote control 72 accordingly. Thesekey presses are received and stored by the control card. In response topolling signals from headend 12, the control card provides system datarepresenting the keystrokes to headend 12 which indicates which key orkeys have been pressed.

Video game controller (or game paddle) 74 is connected by a cable totelevision 70. Alternatively, game paddle 74 can be connected via an IRlink. Keystrokes from game paddle 74 are supplied to the control card,and then are supplied as part of system data in response to polling ofguest terminals 16 by headend 12. In some embodiments, game paddle 74includes keys which duplicate keys on remote control 72 so that gamepaddle 74 can be used to initiate interactive sessions and orderprograms without the need to use remote control 72.

Keyboard 76 is connected to television 70 either through a cable or byan IR link. Keystrokes from keyboard 76 are supplied by the control cardof guest terminal 16 to headend 12 in response to polling. Keyboard 76is useful for interactive services such as Internet, e-mail and computergames. Keyboard 76 can, in some cases, be used to initiate interactivesessions, order programs or select programs to be recorded, rather thanusing remote control 72.

When a guest wishes to use entertainment system 10, the guest presses akey on remote control 72 to turn on television 70. A welcome screen willfirst appear on the TV screen of guest terminal 16. If the guest wishesto view off-air or satellite programming which is free programming,those channels are accessible by pressing the channel up or channel downkeys on remote control 72. If, on the other hand, the guest wishes toview and perhaps select other offerings of system 10, such as on demandmovies, Internet access, interactive video games, recording of broadcastprograms for time-shifted viewing, or interactive services, the welcomechannel screen provides an instruction to the user to select a menu.Upon pressing the menu key, a signal is provided to the control card 50,which stores the keystroke information until the next time that guestterminal 16 is polled by headend 12. In response to polling, thekeystroke indicating pressing of the menu key is supplied to headend 12.This results in UHC 20 selecting one of the interactive ports (which areeither internal to UHC 20 or are part of interactive ports 30) todisplay a series of interactive menus which are navigated by the guestthrough the use of keystrokes supplied by remote control 72 (oralternatively game paddle 74 or keyboard 76). Depending upon theselections made by the guest in response to the screens which aredisplayed, UHC 20 will activate the requested service which may beprovided by game platform 26, Internet ports 28, interactive ports 30,multi-media ports 32, digital content server 34, or encoder array 40.UHC 20 routes the selected output through video switch 36 to a modulatorrepresenting one of the available channel and sends digital controlsignals to the control card of the guest terminal 16 to cause guestterminal 16 to tune to the channel on which the requested service is toappear.

Guest-selected recording and time-shifted viewing offers hotel gueststhe ability to schedule the recording of programs from the channel lineup at the hotel and be able to watch the programs at a later time. Thechannel line up represents the programs from cable/satellite receiver 18which are available for viewing by the hotel guest. The programs aretypically “free-to-guest” programs, in that the hotel does not chargeseparately for viewing of those programs.

There are times when a hotel guest would like to watch a particularprogram, but will not be available when that program is being broadcast.For example, a guest may have checked into the hotel at 6:00 in theevening. The guest's favorite program, “Everybody Loves Raymond” is onat 7:30 that evening. The guest, however, has a dinner meeting from 6:30to 8:30, and therefore will miss the broadcast. Similarly, the guest maywish to view two programs which are being broadcast at the same time.

With the guest selected-recording and time-shifted viewing service ofthe present invention, the guest can record programs in order to viewthem at a later time. As part of the menu options offered by system 10,an interactive program guide may be selected by the guest. Theinteractive program guide lists the cable/satellite programming with thetime of broadcast and the particular channels. The guest selects theprograms which he or she wishes to record from the interactive programguide. The selection is made interactively through the use of remotecontrol 72 or keyboard 76, and the selections are provided through MATVdistribution 14 back to UHC 20 in headend 12. UHC 20 creates a recordingschedule based on selections made by the guests. When selected program(e.g. “Everybody Loves Raymond”) is received by cable/satellite receiver18, UHC 20 causes encoder array 40 to encode the programming into theencoded file format (such as MPEG-2). Encoder array 40 delivers therecorded program as a digital file to digital content server 34 forstorage in the mass storage of digital content server 34. The digitalfile has associated with it the guest identification and anidentification of the program which was recorded.

When the guest returns to his or her room, guest may again select theinteractive program guide. Among the programs which will be displayed onthe program guide is “Everybody Loves Raymond”, which will be indicatedas available for viewing at any time. The guest may then select thepreviously recorded program for viewing.

There are several alternative ways in which the guest may be charged forthe recording and time-shifting service, and several alternative ways inwhich the availability of time-shifted programs may be presented toguests. For example, the guest may select the time-shifting option andbe charged a set fee per day, a fee for each program recorded, a fee foreach half hour of programming recorded, a fee based upon the number ofprograms recorded and viewed, or a fee based only on recorded programswhich are viewed. The information provided through interactive menus andthe interactive program guide will differ, of course, depending upon theparticular way in which guests will be charged for use of the service.

For example, one option available is to allow guest to view not onlyprograms selected for recording by that guest, but also programsselected for recording by other guests at the hotel. In that case, theinteractive program guide may include a listing of free-to-guestprograms, the previously recorded programs selected by the particularguest, and previously recorded programs selected by other guests.Depending upon the particular way in which the hotel will charge for thetime-shifting services, a selection of a previously recorded programfrom the interactive program guide may result in a charge being made tothe guest's account. The determination of whether a charge is to be madeis done by UHC 20. To avoid disputed charges, the selection from theinteractive program guide of a previously recorded program may befollowed by a follow-on screen requesting that the guest verify theselection and order of the time-shifted program (with the associatedcharge to be made), before the program is played back by digital contentserver 34 and delivered to that particular guest television 70.

In one embodiment of the invention, the use of the time-shifting featureby the guest is achieved as follows. When the guest first turns on thetelevision, a welcome channel appears. The welcome channel screen mayidentify the “hotel” as well as the entertainment service provider. Thegeneral description of available services is included. If the guestpresses the channel up or down buttons, the television will be tuned toone of the free-to-guest channels. On the other hand, if the guestpresses the menu button on the remote control 72, the headend willproduce first an interstitial screen indicating that the system is“accessing” and then will display a main menu screen.

The main menu screen includes listings of various services available forselection by the guest. FIG. 2 shows an example of main menu screen 100,which lists ten different selectable services: “movies”, “Internet”,“games”, “what's cool”, “hotel services”, “special offer”, “premiumT.V.”, “help”, “interactive T.V. listings”, “got your laptop?” The guestuses the navigational arrow buttons on remote control 72 to highlightone of the available services, or uses the key number or symbolassociated with the services. For example, key “3” can be pressed tohighlight games, while key “*” can be pressed to highlight “interactiveT.V. listings” (which will lead to the interactive program guide). Toaccess the highlighted service, the guest must then press the selectbutton on the remote control 72.

FIG. 3 shows an example of interactive program guide 200, which providesthe guest with a number of options including guest-selected recording ofprograms and time-shifted viewing of recorded programs. Interactiveprogram guide 200 includes programming information 210 for each of thefree-to-guest channels available to the guest. For illustration only,two channels are shown in FIG. 3. Interactive program guide 200 showsthe times 220 at which programs will be broadcast on each of channels,and allows the guest to scroll forward over several days of programming,so that the guest can see what programs will be running at time in thefuture. UHC 20 may receive the programming information necessary toproduce interactive program guide 200 from a number of differentsources. For example, programming information can be received from theInternet 60 through Internet server 22. Programming information also maybe supplied to UHC 20 by receiver 18 from data supplied along with thecable/satellite programming.

Interactive program guide 200 also provides the opportunity to make theguest aware of pay-per-view offerings 230 and previously recordedprogramming 240 which is now available for time-shifted viewing. Thetime-shifting offering may be a listing of all offerings regardless ofwhich guest requested recording, or may be separated into twocategories: the specific guest's recorded programs 250, and the recordedprograms 260 selected by other guests. The order in which information210, 230, 250, and 260 is presented can, of course, be arrangeddifferently than the example shown in FIG. 3.

The guest may use interactive program guide 200 for several purposes.First, the guest may review the programs in information field 210 whichare currently being aired, and make a selection of a program byhighlighting that program on program guide 200. By highlighting and thenselecting a currently playing program, the guest is requesting that UHC20 tune that guest terminal to the free-to-guest channel which carriesthat program. In response to the key strokes by the guest, UHC 20 causesthe tuner of guest terminal 16 to tune the television to the requestedfree-to-guest channel.

Second, the guest may use interactive program guide 200 to select apay-per-view movie. If a movie in field 230 is highlighted and selected,UHC 20 will display a “description and order” screen for the selectedmovie. This screen includes a description of the movie, an indication ofthe price for ordering the movie, and includes “go back” and “order”selections”. If the guest presses “go back”, this indicates that theguest is not interested in ordering the movie, and interactive programguide 200 is again displayed on the guest terminal screen. If the guestselects “order”, a “thank you” screen is displayed, and then the orderedmovie begins to play. UHC 20 provides the necessary control inputs todigital content server 34 locate the digital file containing the orderedmovie and to initiate its play back. In addition, UHC 20 selects anavailable modulator from the bank of modulators 38 and configures videoswitch 36 to connect the output port of digital content server 34 atwhich the ordered movie is being supplied to the selected modulator.Through control signals to the guest terminal 16, UHC 20 causes theguest terminal 16 to be tuned to the particular channel on which themovie is playing. UHC 20 also determines the appropriate charge to bemade to the guest's account, and provides that information to PMS 46.

A movie purchase through interactive program guide 200 is an alternativeto the selection of a movie by selecting “movies” from the main menuscreen 100 shown in FIG. 2. Interactive program guide 200 provides analternative path for reaching the “description and order” screen fromwhich the pay-per-view movie is ordered.

Third, the guest may use interactive program guide 200 to select andorder a previously recorded program for time-shifted viewing. The guesthighlights the program of interest from field 240 or field 250 andpresses “select”. What happens next will depend upon the particular wayin which the guest is to be charged for the time-shifted programmingfeature. If a charge will be made for each time-shifted program that isviewed, then UHC 20 will display an “order” screen in response to theselection of a previously recorded program. The order screen willindicate the price for viewing the time-shifted program, and willinclude “go back” and “order” options. If the guest selects “go back”,interactive program guide 200 will again appear on screen. If the guestselects “order”, a “thank you” screen will appear, followed by the playback of the previously recorded program. UHC 20 will control the digitalcontent server 34, video switch 36, and guest terminal 16 in a mannerwhich is similar to the process for viewing a movie. The digital filestored in digital content server 34 containing the previously recordedprogram will be accessed, decoded and played back. The output of digitalcontent server 34 will be connected through video switch 36 to anappropriate modulator 38, and the appropriate guest terminal 16 will betuned to the appropriate channel to allow the guest to watch the programas it is played back.

If the guest is charged for recording a program but is not charged againfor playing that program back, then the display of the order screen maynot be necessary—if the program being viewed is one which the guestcaused to be recorded. Since the guest's identification is associatedwith the recorded program, UHC 20 can check to see whether the guest isselecting one of the programs that the guest recorded, or whether theprogram was recorded by a different guest. This may allow differenttreatment in terms of charges to the guest depending upon who recordedthe program.

Fourth, the guest can use the interactive program guide to select forrecording a program which is not yet being aired. When the guesthighlights and selects a program schedule to happen in the future, UHC20 causes interactive program guide 200 to acknowledge that the guest isrequesting that the program be recorded for later viewing. If there is acharge for the recording of programs (as opposed to the viewing ofprograms), interactive program guide 200 will indicate that there is acharge and will require a further action, (such as the pressing of anorder key) to continue. When the guest has confirmed the desire torecord the program, UHC 20 stores the necessary information tocoordinate a recording process in a recording schedule. At theappropriate time, UHC 20 activates encoder array 40 to tune to theprogram of interest during the time that it is playing. Encoder array 40encodes the program as it is being broadcast and then transfers theencoded file to the digital content server 34 for storage.

Fifth, interactive program guide 200 can be used by the guest to bothselect a program for viewing and simultaneously view the same program ora program on another channel. The guest may wish to record the programwhile watching it if, for example, the guest expects to leave partwaythrough the program and would like to see how it finishes, or expectsany interruption, such as a phone call while watching. The simultaneousviewing and recording of programs also allows the guest to effectively“rewind” and watch certain parts of program over again or to in effect“pause” the live television program and then resume viewing later. Thesefeatures are achieved through button presses at remote control 72 whichare interpreted by UHC 20 and used to control operation with digitalcontent server 34.

As programs are recorded and transferred as digital files to digitalcontent server 34, UHC 20 updates interactive program guide. Thus, notonly is program guide 200 changing over time so that it only reflectsprograms currently playing and programs available in the future, but itis also being changed to reflect the then current line up of recordedprograms available for time-shifted viewing. As each program is recordedand the file is transferred to digital content server 34, interactiveprogram guide 200 is updated to reflect the inclusion of that recordedprogram.

In order to remind a guest that the guest has recorded a program fortime-shifted viewing, a special on screen message may be provided to theguest. This message may be superimposed onto the welcome channel screenor main menu screen 100, or may be a separate screen. UHC 20 determineswhether to provide that message depending upon the directory of files ofrecorded programs stored in digital content server 34. Identification ofthe guest (or guests) which have requested recordings of programs is apart of the information associated with the file.

To conserve storage space and to eliminate the storage and subsequentlisting of the same program requested for recording by multiple guests,UHC 20 preferably receives and stores all requests for recordingprograms, creates a consolidated recording schedule, and then associateseach guest who requested a particular program with the digital file forthat program. This avoids having to record the same program multipletimes, once each for every different guest who requests that the programbe recorded.

The guest-selected recording and time-shifting of television programsprovides another service to the guest, and another opportunity forrevenues through entertainment system 10. By recording on site, ratherthan at a remote centralized location, the system gives the guest theopportunity to record programs of local content. No large files need tobe distributed from a central location out to the individual sites inorder to accommodate time-shifted viewing. Instead, only those programsof interest to the particular guests of the hotel are recorded, and therecording is done locally. The ability of each guest to select programsfor recording and later viewing makes entertainment system 10 moreattractive to the guest and increases usage of the system and revenuederived from its use.

Other implementations of the present inventions are possible. Forexample, in other embodiments the encoder array may be combined with itsown separate digital content server, so that recording and play back oftelevision programs is separate from the digital content server whichprovides movies and other pre-recorded material.

Similarly, the encoder array can be incorporated into the digitalcontent server, so that no separate interconnection between the twounits is required. The interactive program guide can take a number ofdifferent forms. As it relates to the time-shifting feature, theinteractive program guide makes use of program schedules and channelline ups to simplify the process of choosing the correct channel, time,and duration of recording. Although other techniques can be used, suchas those used in conventional VCR recording (which involves the userselecting a particular time, channel, and duration), the use of ainteractive program guide gives the guest an interface which is simpleand intuitive to use.

In addition, the interactive program guide gives the opportunity to alsomake the guest aware of previously recorded television programs whichare available for time-shifted viewing, as well as other entertainmentofferings, such as pay-per-view movies.

The present invention gives the guest recording options which simulatehaving a personal VCR device in each room, without the significant cost.By using a shared encoder array, which records programs based upon arecording schedule set by UHC 20 in response to recording selectionsmade by the guests, each guest has the opportunity to personalize theentertainment system to his or her needs and desires.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

1. An entertainment system comprising: a plurality of guest terminals in a plurality of guest rooms in a lodging facility; a distribution system connected to the guest terminals; and a head end at the lodging facility comprising: a digital content server for storing entertainment content in digital files and supplying to the distribution system television signals based upon the digital files; a receiver for receiving television programs on a plurality of channels and supplying the programs to the distribution system; an encoder for converting a selected television program on one of the channels to a digital file representing the selected program and transferring the digital file to the digital content server for storage; and a computer which communicates with the guest terminals over the distribution system, the computer providing the guest terminals in the guest rooms with television signals representing a schedule listing both (a) the television programs available for viewing and recording and (b) previously recorded programs available for time-shifted viewing, controlling operation of the encoder based upon a selection by a guest of a program to be recorded and controlling operation of the digital content server based upon a selection by a guest of a previously recorded program for time-shifted viewing.
 2. The entertainment system of claim 1 wherein the encoder is an array including a plurality of tuners for tuning to the channels and an encoding device connected to each tuner.
 3. The entertainment system of claim 1 wherein the computer provides information about the television programs in the form of an interactive program guide.
 4. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the interactive program guide includes information about previously recorded television programs.
 5. The entertainment system of claim 1 wherein, in response to a request from a guest terminal, the computer causes the digital content server to supply television signals based upon the digital file representing the selected program.
 6. The entertainment system of claim 1 wherein the computer creates a recording schedule for the encoder based upon data from the guest terminals representing selections by guests of programs to be recorded.
 7. A method of providing guest-selected viewing of time-shifted television programs in an entertainment system having a head end and a plurality of guest terminals in a lodging facility connected by a distribution system, the method comprising: tuning to channels on which scheduled television programs selected for time shifting are carried; encoding the programs selected into a digital format to create digital files representing the programs; storing the digital files at the head end in the lodging facility; transmitting, from the head end in the lodging facility to the guest terminal in a guest room in the lodging facility, television signals representing an interactive schedule listing both (a) scheduled television programs available for viewing and (b) previously recorded television programs available for time-shifted viewing based upon the digital files stored; transmitting, from the guest terminal to the head end, data requesting playback of one of the time-shifted programs displayed; playing back the time-shifted program requested based upon the stored digital file representing that program; and transmitting the time-shifted program being played back to the guest terminal; and displaying the program at the guest terminal.
 8. A method of providing time-shifted television programs in an entertainment system having a head end and a plurality of guest terminals in a lodging facility connected by a distribution system, the method comprising: digitally storing, at the head end in the lodging facility, television programs for time-shifted viewing, when they are broadcast; transmitting, from the head end to a guest terminal in a guest room, television signals representing a schedule containing both (a) scheduled programs available for viewing and recording, and (b) time-shifted television programming based upon television programs digitally stored; receiving at the head end, from the guest terminal, playback request data selecting one of the digitally stored time-shifted television programs; converting at the head end, in response to the playback request data, the selected digitally stored time-shifted television program to television signals; and transmitting the television signals from the head end to the guest terminal; and displaying the program at the guest terminal.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein digitally storing comprises: tuning to a channel on which a television program is carried; and encoding the program into a digital format to create a digital file.
 10. An entertainment system comprising: a plurality of guest terminals in a lodging facility, wherein the terminals are capable of receiving and displaying an interactive schedule in the form of television signals, and does not require the conversion of a digital file by the guest terminals to display the interactive schedule; a distribution system connected to the guest terminals; and a head end at the lodging facility comprising: a digital content server for storing entertainment content in digital files and supplying to the distribution system television signals based upon the digital files; a receiver for receiving television programs on a plurality of channels and supplying the programs to the distribution system; an encoder for converting to digital files television programs, to be made available for time-shifted viewing, when those programs are received by the receiver and transferring the digital files to the digital content server for storage; and a computer which communicates with the guest terminals over the distribution system, the computer providing the guest terminals with television signals representing the interactive schedule listing both (a) scheduled programs available for viewing and recording and (b) previously recorded television programs available for time-shifted viewing based upon the digital files representing the selected television programs.
 11. The entertainment system of claim 10 wherein the encoder is an array including a plurality of tuners for tuning to the channels and an encoding device connected to each tuner.
 12. The entertainment system of claim 10 wherein, in response to a request from a guest terminal, the computer causes the digital content server to supply television signals for one of the television programs available for time-shifted viewing based upon the digital file representing that television program.
 13. The entertainment system of claim 10 wherein the computer creates a recording schedule for the encoder.
 14. A method of providing guest-selected viewing of time-shifted television programs in an entertainment system in a lodging facility, the method comprising: creating, at a head end in the lodging facility, a recording schedule of television programs to be recorded for time-shifted viewing; encoding, at the head end, television programs based upon the recording schedule to create digital files representing time-shifted television programs; storing the digital files at the head end; transmitting, from the head end to a guest terminal in a guest room in the lodging facility, television signals representing an interactive schedule listing both (a) scheduled programs available for viewing and recording and (b) time-shifted television programs available for viewing based upon the digital files stored; transmitting, from the guest terminal to the head end, a request to view one of the time-shifted television programs; and transmitting, from the head end to the guest terminal, the time-shifted television program requested based upon the digital file representing that time-shifted television program; displaying the program at the guest terminal.
 15. An entertainment system comprising: a plurality of guest terminals in a lodging facility; a distribution system connected to the guest terminals; and a head end comprising: a digital content server at the lodging facility for storing entertainment content in digital files and supplying to the distribution system television signals based upon the digital files, the digital files including a first group of files representing motion pictures and a second group of files representing recorded television programs available for time-shifted viewings; and a computer at the lodging facility which communicates with the guest terminals over the distribution system, the computer providing the guest terminals with television signals representing a combined schedule (a) listing scheduled programs available for viewing and recording, (b) listing the motion pictures in the first group of files available for viewing, and (c) listing the television programs in the second group of files available for time-shifted viewing, and controlling operation of the digital content server to provide motion pictures and time-shifted television programs to guest terminals based upon signals from the guest terminals. 